<p>I'm currently in my junior year as an English major. I've always been good at English so it was easy and it was the same major as my bf. I just transferred from a community college to a University. I always knew I wasn't the biggest fan with the path I was choosing but after the transfer I instantly realized I HATE it and cannot do this with my life. I looked into all the fields I am interested in and weighed my options. I really want to get into Engineering and work with robotics, so possibly mechanical. I've come to terms with the fact that for whatever reason anything that comes naturally to me I find boring, and if it's a challenge I like it because I feel accomplished. Getting a C+ in a science class feels so much better than an A+ in English.
This being said that C+ is a realistic grade for me in math and science. I've always loved them but it's difficult for me for whatever reason. I've also never tried coding or anything and probably have the computer skills of a modern day toddler. I am more than willing and excited to try my best for as long as it takes though. I feel like my dream is realistic yet optimistic, but I thought I would see what some actual engineering students would have to say. Do you think I will just be laughed off of campus?</p>
<p>The problem is, if you have not taken any of the needed frosh/soph math and science (mainly physics) courses, you are probably looking at a minimum of 7 semesters (possibly 8) to graduate in engineering (assuming that your English courses cover the breadth requirements).</p>
<p>Crazier things have been done. The problem is, I think you have kind of a romanticized view of what engineering is. You’re imagining working for NASA, building the next Curiosity rover, making a real difference in science and the world (which is perfectly fine). But the reality, at least for the first few years, is that engineering is sentencing yourself to hard labor. Engineering is just applied math and physics, with long hours and long problems.</p>
<p>BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF, but if you really think you can handle that, why not give it a try? There are always engineering technology degrees that can let you work with the cool stuff but take less math as well, just something to keep in mind.</p>
<p>It’s not just the undergrad years, I’m doing a project in the space systems robotics lab and I’ve at least learned enough 2.5 years into the curriculum to realize just how much I don’t know (I’m sure I’m still underestimating) that will require at least a masters to be useful. That said, you have to start somewhere. Unfortunately unless you’re at a small liberal arts school or willing to go back to a 2 year school, you’re going to have a tough time learning the math and physics in a large lecture environment if the subjects don’t come easily to you.</p>
<p>Thank you guys for being honest with me. I have put a lot of thought into it. There are other science fields I enjoy but wouldn’t be practical. Especially since I know I would only be happy if I got the “romanticized” job in those fields. But when I thought about working with electronics and computers etc. even the grunt work I will probably be doing for the longest time (if not the whole time) I was still excited about it. I feel like I would still be contributing to something really worthwhile. I’ll admit I’m a little bummed about how long it’s going take though.</p>
<p>You do need to find something that you will enjoy doing for your professional career. Enjoyment to me has always meant something that was challenging but within my grasp.</p>
<p>If you do make the switch, it will mean taking a lot of math, physics, etc. background classes that you probably didn’t have as an English major. The up side is that most engineering programs have a humanities and arts requirement that you may have already met with your English classes. The down side of it is that most engineering majors use the humanities classes as a break from the heavy workload associated with their engineering classes.</p>
<p>The other issue I can see for you is the “C+ is a realistic grade for me in math and science” comment. Many large engineering companies have a strict 3.0 GPA cutoff for college applicants. Mine did. In fact we’d get so many applicants that HR would have already weeded out those below about a 3.3 or so. Small companies won’t typically have such a minimum GPA but you are limiting yourself to those for employment. </p>
<p>Can you meld your English and your interest in something with a technical bent into something like a technical writing degree? Manuals, tech instructions, etc. always need to be prepared in engineering companies. You might look into something along those lines. Might mean fewer classes to take at this point to graduate.</p>
<p>If you do decide to go into engineering, good luck with it. Engineering won’t typically make you rich, but it can provide a challenging and rewarding career.</p>